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How to call a timeout in basketball


Basketball Timeouts

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Table of Contents

  • Timeout Rules
  • NBA Timeouts
  • College Basketball Timeouts
  • High School Timeouts
  • Calling Timeouts
  • Timeout Strategy
  • Media Timeouts
  • FAQ

Timeout Rules

The rules for timeouts in basketball are different based on the league and level of play. However, the overall concept of what a timeout is remains the same. Timeouts are called to temporarily stop the game clock and shot clock from ticking. This gives teams extra time to strategize, make substitutions, or rest players.

The shot clock does not reset after a timeout is called. Instead, it stops ticking and will resume when the ball becomes live again.

NBA Timeouts

The rules of NBA timeouts have changed as recently as 2017. The new rules allow seven timeouts per team, with each timeout lasting 75 seconds.  However, there are restrictions upon when these timeouts may be used:

  • Each team can only use up to four timeouts in the fourth quarter
  • Each team can only use two timeouts inside the final three minutes

These rules help the game flow more smoothly. In the past, there have been many concerns about the extremely slow pace of the last few minutes of games. These new rules ensure teams do not take too much time in the final minutes.

In the NBA, teams are granted two timeouts for each overtime period.

College Basketball Timeouts

In college basketball, teams get four total timeouts per regulation game. Each team gets three timeouts that last 30 seconds and one timeout that lasts 60 seconds. In NCAA Basketball, only two of a team's unused timeouts from regulation carry over to overtime. In addition, teams get one more timeout that lasts 30 seconds for each overtime period.

High School Timeouts

While the rules differ in every state, the standard number of timeouts in high school basketball is five, three full timeouts, and two 30-second timeouts.

Calling Timeouts

Any player on the court or coach can call a timeout during a game. This is done by indicating a “T” with one’s hands and saying “timeout!” to a referee.

A team can only call a timeout in the following game situations:

  • When the ball is dead
  • When the team has possession of the ball
  • When the team has at least one timeout remaining

If a team calls a timeout when their team doesn't have any timeouts left, they will receive a technical foul.

Timeout Strategy

Teams will call a timeout to improve a game situation. Here are some of the reasons a team will call a timeout in a game:

  • To draw up a play
  • To make a substitution
  • To allow players to rest
  • To stop the clock when there is little time left

Media Timeouts

Media timeouts, also known as TV timeouts or mandatory timeouts, are automatic timeouts charged to either team when there have not yet been any timeouts taken by a certain point in the quarter or half.  Media timeouts exist to allow television networks to pause a live event to air advertisements. These are signaled by the officials and last longer than regular timeouts. 

In the NBA, there are two media timeouts per quarter. Media timeouts take place at the first dead ball after the clock goes under 6:59 and 2:59. If a team takes a timeout prior to these marks, that will count as the media timeout.

In men’s college basketball, the schedule for TV timeouts can vary based on the network airing the game, but they are typically taken after the 16:00-, 12:00-, 8:00-, and 4:00-minute marks. If a team timeout is called before these marks, it will be used as the TV timeout.

FAQ

How many timeouts are there in basketball?

The number of timeouts varies with the level of play. In the NBA, each team is allowed seven timeouts per game. The WNBA gives each team three timeouts per half, for a total of six per game. The NCAA permits four timeouts per team, and most high school leagues give each team five timeouts.  In the NBA, each team gets an additional two timeouts for each overtime period.

What is a charged timeout in basketball?

A charged timeout in basketball is a timeout that counts against a team’s total number of allowed timeouts. Charged timeouts can be requested by a player or a coach on the offensive team by signaling to a referee. If the game clock counts down below a certain time in a period, a mandatory media timeout will be taken, and one timeout will be deducted, or “charged,” from one team’s total. In the NBA, this happens at 6:59, and again if a second timeout is not taken by 2:59. The team against which a timeout is charged alternates from period to period.

Can you call a timeout when you don't have any left in basketball?

It is possible to call a timeout in basketball when you have no timeouts remaining, but there are consequences to doing so. If a team calls for a timeout while having none remaining, they will receive the timeout, but they will also be charged a technical foul, adding one to their team total.  This means that the opposing team will receive a free throw, making excessive timeouts an undesirable tactic to use in many cases.

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The 5 Moments Throughout a Game You Must Call a Timeout

Photo Credit: MIKECNY via Compfight cc

Timeouts are a crucial part of a basketball game and can be the difference between going home with a win or a loss. Yes… they’re that important.

Every coach must learn at what stage of the game their timeouts will have the best impact on your teams success.

I received an e-mail a couple of days ago requesting advice on when the best times are throughout a game to call a timeout. Obviously, this differ from game to game, but there some hard-and-fast rules that every coach seem’s to stick by that I want to share with you.

Here are five times throughout a game when you should call a timeout.

 

The 5 Moments You Must Call A Timeout

1. To stop the momentum of the other team (and the crowd)

Just as your team will undoubtedly get hot during certain stretches games, there will be times when the opposition also goes on a run where they seem to make every shot they attempt. Once this starts to happen, their players build on their confidence and your players will start to doubt themselves. If nothing is changed this can quickly turn into a disaster and the next time you look up at the scoreboard the opposition has put on a quick 10 points. Which will possibly be the difference in the game.

Having said that, you should always call a timeout in this situation. Especially if you’re playing on the road. It calm’s down the crowd, re-focuses your players, and cools down the opposition players.

It’s all about momentum. You don’t want to let the other team get their confidence up.

 

2. To change your game strategy

Another reason to call a timeout is when you want to make a big change in your strategy.

For example, if you’re in a zone-press and it’s just not working and you want to bring your players back into a man-to-man defense. Or you’re getting killed in the post and need to explain to your players who you want to double the post.

Sometimes it can be hard to call out the changes that you want to be made, especially with younger players. You need to call a timeout so that you can talk to them and explain the changes without distractions.

 

3. To draw up a specific play

This is most often used towards the end of a game. Ever wondered why the last 3 minutes of a basketball game seem to go for 10 minutes? Timeouts are the reason. In a close game that goes down to the wire it’s not uncommon to see 3 or 4 timeouts called in the last couple of minutes.

Down the stretch is when a coach can start to be the crucial difference in a game. Calling a timeout gives you the opportunity to diagram a new play to give you an open look. Whereas if you didn’t call a timeout, your players may be forced to run a play that the other team may have learned how to defend during the game and your players may not get an open look.

 

4. To give your players a rest without substituting

3 minutes to go, the scores are tied, but unfortunately, your best player is running out of gas. Do you really want to sub them out of the game for a chance to rest? I doubt it.

That’s where timeouts come in handy. They allow you to give your players a break without being forced to substitute them out of the game.

 

5. To fire up your team

I was on the ledge as to whether to include this one as some might think ‘to fire up your team’ also falls under the ‘momentum’ point. But I don’t think it does.

We’ve all coached games where our players start off the game sluggish and seem mentally out of it regardless of what the score is.

This is a time you should call a timeout to give them a good ol’ kick up the backside to get them focused on the game at hand.

 

Over to you…

I know we all have different opinions… are there any other stages of the game you think coaches must call a timeout?

– Coach Mac

PS. I love Twitter.

what is it, how long does it take, timeout definition

Danila Chezhin

Basketball is a game of jerking. The team that succeeds in the decisive breakthrough wins the match. It is clear that it is impossible to control the dynamics of the game before it starts - the coaching staff is forced to respond to the opponents' actions directly during the meeting. The influence of coaches on the game is provided by breaks. But not only between quarters and halves. In the course of the game segments, mentors can also stop the match by taking a timeout.

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What is a time out in basketball?

Time-out - a time-limited break during which changes in tactics can be made, influencing what happens on the court. A team coach can request a time-out by showing the match referee a characteristic gesture - the letter T, the fingers of one hand point up, and the fingers of the other hand are perpendicular to them.

The referee confirms the coaching request with a whistle and the same “T” gesture. After confirmation, the match time stops and the players go to their benches. During a pause, coaches, in addition to tactical permutations, have the right to make changes in the compositions. So after a timeout, completely new fives of basketball players can enter the court.

Time-out duration

In everyday life, a time-out is called a minute break. It's not hard to guess why. The length of the coaching break provided for by the classic basketball rules is one minute. In fact, however, everything is much more complicated - in modern sports, where breaks are filled with commercials, the duration of pauses is becoming less and less stable.

How long a time-out lasts in basketball depends primarily on the tournament within which the match is played. For example, in matches under the auspices of FIBA, timeouts are limited to 75 seconds. In college basketball, NCAA tournaments, the same 75 seconds for non-television games. In meetings that are broadcast on TV, the break can reach more than two minutes. In the NBA, the main professional overseas league, timeouts are 2.5 minutes.

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When can I request a time-out?

It is not possible to stop the game by requesting a timeout at any time during the match. The coach has the right to take a break only in a situation where his team is in possession of the ball. If the other team has the ball, there is no opportunity to take a break.

Exceptions are the so-called "automatic" time-outs. For example, when a player of one team or another is injured and needs medical attention. Then the decision to stop the game is taken by the referee, regardless of who controls the ball at the moment.

How many time-outs are there in basketball?

There is a limit to the number of pauses that coaches may request during a game. As with duration, the number of breaks depends on the tournament. For example, the NBA relies on 6 timeouts per team during the match - 3 for each. Moreover, coaches can use pauses when they see fit. For example, if the mentor took 1 timeout in the first half of the meeting, in the second half he can stop the game 5 times.

In FIBA-sponsored matches, on the contrary, the number of breaks is limited by playing segments - 2 timeouts in the first half, 3 timeouts in the second. So, if the team coach used 1 break in the 1st half, the remaining break does not carry over to the second half. For the 2nd half, the mentor still has the same 3 timeouts.

Separately, it is worth mentioning the time-out rules for overtime. Basketball is a sport that excludes draws. Therefore, if the main time of the match ended with an equal score, the game continues in overtime. Its duration, both in the NBA and in European competitions, is 5 minutes. For this segment, teams are entitled to two additional timeouts. Moreover, if the overtime ends with a tie, the game will continue in the second overtime. There, teams will also be able to stop the game 2 times for 5 extra minutes.

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timeout definition, rule and procedure.

18.1 Definition A time-out is a stoppage of play at the request of a coach or assistant coach. 18.2 Rule 18.2.1 Each time-out shall last 1 minute. 18.2.2 A time-out may be granted when it is possible to grant one. 18.2.3 A time-out opportunity arises: • For both teams, when the ball becomes dead, the game clock is stopped and the referee has completed the scorer's signaling procedure...

18.1 Definition

A time-out is a stoppage of play at the request of a coach or assistant coach.


18.2 Rule
18.2.1

Each time-out shall last 1 minute.


18.2.2

A time-out may be granted when it is possible to grant one.


18.2.3

The opportunity to grant a timeout appears:

• For both teams, when the ball becomes dead, the game clock is stopped and the referee has completed the signing procedure to the scorer's table.

• Both teams when the ball becomes dead after a successful last or only free throw.

• To the team in whose basket a field goal was scored.


18.2.4

A time-out opportunity ends when the ball is at the player's disposal for a throw-in or the first or only free throw.


18.2.5

Each team may be granted:

• 2 time-outs during the first half,

• 3 time-outs during the second half, with no more than 2 of these time-outs in the last 2 minutes of the second half,

• 1 time-out during each extra period.


18.2.6

Unused time-outs cannot be carried over to the next half or extra period.


18.2.7

A time-out is awarded to the team whose coach first requested it, unless the time-out is granted after a field goal scored by the opposing team and there has been no violation of the Rules.


18.2.8

No time-out allowed for a field goal team with 2:00 minutes or less left on the game clock in the fourth period and each extra period and after any field goal from the field, except when the referee interrupts the game.


18.3 Procedure
18.3.1

Only the coach or assistant coach has the right to request a time-out. He must make a visual contact with the scorer or go to the scorer's table and clearly ask for a time-out with the appropriate hand gesture.


18.3.2

A request for a time-out may only be canceled until the secretary's signal for granting it has sounded.


18.3.3

Timeout time:

• Starts when the referee blows his whistle and gives the timeout gesture.

• Ends when the referee blows his whistle and invites the teams to return to the playing court.


18.3.4

As soon as a time-out opportunity arises, the scorer shall give his signal and inform the officials that a time-out request has been received.

If a field goal is scored for the team that requested the time-out, the timekeeper must immediately stop the game clock and give his signal.


18.3.5

During the time-out and during the interval of play before the start of the second, fourth or each extra period, players are allowed to leave the playing court and sit on the team bench and persons on the team bench may enter the playing area. pitch, provided they remain in close proximity to their team bench area.


18.3.6

If a request for a time-out is made by either team after the ball is in the possession of the player taking the first or only free throw, the time-out shall be granted if if:

• The last or only free throw is successful.

• The last or only free throw will be followed by a throw-in at the center line extended opposite the scorer's table.

• A foul is called between free throws. In this case, the free throw(s) shall(-s) be taken and a time-out is allowed before the next foul penalty is administered.

• A foul is called before the ball becomes live after the last or only free throw.


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